· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Harvard Business Review or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: Greenwashing, initially identified by environmentalist Jay Westerveld in 1986, highlights deceptive eco-friendly claims by corporations
• Chevron's 1980s campaigns and "Keep America Beautiful," a plastics industry-founded nonprofit, exemplify efforts to mislead the public about corporate environmental impacts
🔭 The context: The practice of deflecting environmental responsibility onto individuals has been a long-standing strategy. BP's promotion of the "carbon footprint" concept is a notable example, shifting focus away from the significant role of corporations, like BP, in global greenhouse gas emissions
🌍Why it matters for the planet: Focusing on individual responsibility distracts from the substantial environmental impacts of corporate actions
• The increasing accessibility of corporate environmental data and the spread of social media are now challenging these narratives, pushing companies towards more genuine environmental responsibility
⏭️ What's next: Companies are encouraged to actively support environmental regulations, withdraw from groups opposing such measures, and engage transparently with regulatory bodies
• By endorsing and complying with environmental standards, businesses can demonstrate real commitment to sustainability, influencing industry-wide practices
💬 One quote: "The most powerful way for businesses to prove they are not greenwashers or propagandists is to support meaningful regulations to ensure that their entire sector or industry will do the right thing" (Kristina Marusic, Author)
📈 One stat: Only 100 companies, including BP, are responsible for 71% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988
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